Rogers/Rodgers

Joseph & Mary's marriage was registered in Auchinleck in 1869. You can view it on the Scotlandspeople site for about £1.60 (sterling). I don't see the couple in Scotland in the 1871 census there, so that suggests they were back in Kilkeel then.

This looks to be Joseph & Mary in Ballymageough in 1901:

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Down/Mourne/Ballymageogh/1236548/

I can see children Patrick born 12.6.1877 & Kate 29.7.1879, both registered in Kilkeel. So evidently Joseph had returned to Ireland by 1877. I assume he had done so to take over the family farm. The Valuation revision records show the farm changing occupant from James Rodgers to Joseph in 1885, so possibly the father died around then (I see 2 possible deaths in 1882 & 1885 that might fit, aged 79 & 74 respectively).  Sometimes the Griffiths clerks dates are out by a year or two, so you can never be certain which is the right one without looking at the death certs.

1911:

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Down/Mourne_Park/Ballymageogh/245802/

The household return indicates that none of their children were alive in 1911.

Probate abstract:

Probate of the Will of Joseph Rogers late of Ballymageough County Down Farmer who died 17 December 1921 granted at Belfast to Thomas Smyth Farmer Effects £435 7s. 4d.

The will itself should be in PRONI in Belfast, in paper format. If you can’t get there in person, they can copy it for you, for a fee.

Not sure if this family is connected:

Rogers James H. of Ballymageough Lisnacree county Down lorry driver died 26 October 1943 Administration Belfast 21 February to Mary Teresa Rogers the widow. Effects £10.

Mary died 12.3.1918 aged 85:

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_returns/deaths_1918/05198/4436106.pdf

The Valuation Revision records show that Joseph had plot 5 in Ballymageough. It  was a 20 acre farm. He had bought the freehold in 1913 under the Land Act. After his death the next owner was Catherine McAvoy.

This is the only Matthew Rodgers I could see in the Kilkeel area in 1901:

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Down/Kilkeel/Aughnaloopy/1234833/

No suggestions for what happened to Mary. The name is too common in the area to narrow down possible marriages etc.

Hi Elwyn

This is more than I hoped for. The James Rogers d1943 may have been their eldest son born here in Scotland. Matthew and Mary both went to the US. 

Many Thanks.

Hugh ,

You might want to also check surnames McCrory / McGrory on your DNA match list  if you have Rogers / Rodgers in your line from co Down, Antrim, Armagh , Tyrone in your line. I have McCrory in mine and I found two distinct family groups in Philadelphia Pa of Rogers who connect . In a few tree you may even see where name change occurred . Ie : McCrory , McCrory-Rogers - Rogers in same family lines .

Hope this helps 

Bob